Structural reenforcing and building member



Sept. 22, 1931. s. E. DALE STRUCTURAL REENFORCING AND BUILDING MEMBER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed y 6, 1924 G. E. DALE 1,824,076.

STRUCTURAL REENFORCING AND BUILDING MEM BER Sept. 22, 1931.

Original Filed May 6, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet enonen n. DALE, or 'rnnnromjwnn'wunnsni; 1n" seasons 'KALMAN STEEL. 00., or

Patented Sept. 22, 1931 UNITED. 1

cnrcnoo, rumors:rnloonroiianr on or ngr m nan srnucrunnnnrnnroncri ie nne' mmmemnsm i Application filed May-6, 1924,- Sria 1 My inventionrelatesto thatqtypefof beam or joist which is built. up rofmetal sec-.2,

tions, and one object of my present invention: is to provide metal lumber in; the .form of;

a structural bGELII'LOIVjOiSt forause in-floor' and ceiling construction; 'such structural-f member being particularly valuable-- for :use as a reenforcing element in concrete struc-: tures and also as the mainsupporting memher in floor construction involving thequse.

of cinder fill or other-fireproof materials :2 A further-object of my invention istoaproe; vide a structure having maximum efficiency" in resisting tension and compression strains and stresses andhone in'which thezmetalsecr' tions are employe'dto-the greatest advantage.

A furtherobject of my inventionis toproevide a reenforcing structural element com-; prising upper and lower chords, with a series of independentmembers suitablyxspaced' and:

disposed between the-same, preferably in a; diagonal direction,:,and having their ends permanently'secured to the upper and lower, chords.v v

A further object 'offmy invention is to provide the diagonal connecting webiz-membersa disposedbetween the upper and lowerchords with enlarged end portions to. fit i'n'theichane nels of saidchords' andzbe anchored-thereto said end portions havingterminals-at; right angles to theirmajor axisiand iniparallel relation. 1 1 i "1.:

And a still further object of my invention is to employ rolled metal sections for the; upper and lower chords; said sectionsbei-ng longitudinally grooved to provide-laterally disposed walls or ribs definitelyspaced apart throughout the lengthy of saidchords and forming channels receivingthe endsof the members disposed between thesame, These laterally disposed walls or, ribs inlay- 06500101? pressed into engagement with thetendsaot the members arranged betweenwthe, chords and by providingthe latter withsuitabl-y shaped ends, dovetailin, cross section-for in; stance, said members disposed between-4 :the chords may be permanently held thereto compressing said laterally disposed walls-10r ribs into engagement with said shaped :ends.

, These and other features of my invention Ifo."4f11,387; Renewed-January 10,1931,

are; mo e;v fullydescriloed hereinafter; refer ence: being had. to the accompanying drawings' n h; a Figure 1 is avigwinelevationof one form of strncturalreenforcing or building element within the ,scopeof myinvention.

ig. 2;is .a side elevation, on a larger scale andepartlyvin section, of a portion of the ru res ownin ga Rig Bis. a planyiew of a portion of the up' pemhordshown in-F g- .Fie i -a-srq ss io iQe -IYT V, Figs. 1 Z d 3 5 is a cross sectional View of themetal sect on; ,irom which L the upper I and lower chord of the structure-shownin Figs, 1, 2,3, nd ,are ormed r r a Y..Eig-. 6 ;view siniilar to Fig. 1, illustrating: anotheiaform of structural reenforcing;or "building element within the scope of myinvention, r I

F ig;. 7is ayiew in. elevation of a plate haV-.- ing shaped edges, in the present instance dovetail in cross section, from which the men1bors;- -disposedbetween the upper and lower chords of-my improved structural reenfQrCing, or building element may be cut.

a $imilarview of aplilte illustrate mannerin which it maybe slit and subsequently stretched to form the members f e agement with theupper and lower 0 or LfF g s an ,edge view ofthe plates shown mines-ra d 8'. a 1

"fEigg' lO is a vi' ewi on a'smaller scale showing the. 'sli t' pate ul ar-steam Fig. '8 in the stretchedfcondition.

'11 is "a View illustrating a modified formqofbuilt up beam, within the scope of niy in'vention, l

'*=Figs.112,1'3,1l, 15ai1d16 are cross sectional views-"illustrating modified'forms of rolled metal; sections which" maybe employed as the upper and lower chords of my improved structural re'enforcing or building element.

Figs-.17 andl8' are edge views of modified forms ofp-lates which may be employed in preparing the members disposed between the upperand lowerchords'of tli'elstructure forming-thegsubjectof my-invention, and

View taken on the ployed in the assembly of the members forming the improved structural reenforcing or building elements forming the subject of my invention. r

The upper and lower chords of my im'-:

proved structural reenforcing or building element constituting the compression and tension members respectively may be made from rolled metal sections or standard structural material, the cross section ofwhich may vary as indicated in the several views of the drawings and is preferably, though not necessarily, of a contour having one surface approximating a single plane so that when such reenforcing or building element is disposed in an upright position, the lower surface of the lower chords will approximate a horizontal plane at or be substantially at a right angle to the vertical axis of said element. I have shown in Figs. 4 and 5 cross sectional views of one form of rolled metal member which I may employ for the upper and lower chords of the structures shown 1n Figs. 1, and 6, which chord member-may comprise a body 1, having its upper surface 2 concaved or dished; the s1des 3 of such body extending higher than the central portion of the upper surface of the same. Referring more particularly to Fig. 5, the underside of the body 1 is provided with a pair of ribs 4, substantially centrally disposed and'extending longitudinally of the same; such ribs having preferably curved outer surfaces as indicated at 4*, and being spaced apart to form a substantially rectangular groove or channel 5.

YJnen employed as a reenforcing element in concrete construction, the upper surface of the upper chord and the lower surface of the lower chord may have projections for interlocking engagement with the enclosing mass of concrete, such projections being illustrated at 6, and lying within the approximate plane of the raised edges of such surfaces.

In forming structural reenforcing elements in accordance with my present invention, such as the beam shown in Fig. 1, I employ upper and lower chords A and B, each of which may have a cross section of the character shown in Fig. 5, and positioned as illustrated in Fig. 4, and between these chords the members 7 may be arranged diagonally, preferably with the terminals of their end por-. tions in contact at the points of engagement with the respective chords. In such arrangement, therefore, the width of the element, that is to say, the distance between the chords determines the spacing of the diagonal members. The ends of the diagonally arranged members 7 are placed in the grooves or channels 5 and are so shaped that'the may be permanently held to the chords by isplaicing or compressing the ribs 4into engagement .theedge of the plate, to the extent of the dovetail portion, with diagonal cuts 00 in the web of such plate. The diagonal members may vary in size (width) and weight from the centre toward the ends of the reenforcing element, as illustrated in Fig. 1, or they may all be of the same width, as illustrated in Fig. 6. i

The diagonal members may be assembled as indicated in Figs. 1 and 6, and in addition and by=preference I employ vertically disposed members at the ends of the beam; plates 7* of material length, as shown in Fig. 1, or the vertical members 7 of the same width as-the diagonal members employed, as shown inFig. 6. In each instance the plates and vertical members will have suitably shaped edges with lateral projections, preferably dovetail in cross-sectional contour, for disposalin the grooves or channels 5 of the upper and lower chords, to which they will be secured in the same manner as the diagonal members. are secured thereto.

In assembling the members of my improved reenforcing or building element, the plates 7 (or the members 7 and the diagonal members 7 are set in the proper relative position with their dovetail or other shaped ends fitting-within the rectangular channel or groove 5, of the upper and lower chords and abutting each other. If desired, suitable tying means may be employed to hold them temporarily in such relation. By applying .suitable pressure; preferably by means of pairs of suitably spaced driven rolls, D and E, as indicated in Fig. 19, the ribs 4 may be compressed against the lateral projection of the edge portions of the end plates 7 (or the members 7) and'the ends of the diagonal members thereby securely and permanently locking such portions in proper relative position with respect to the upper and lower chords to complete the structural reenforcing or building element, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 6, or that shown in Fig. 11.

In Fig. 11 I have shown a slightly modified form of beam, in which the lower chord B" is bent or arched adjacent to the ends of the same, as indicated at b. A beam of this type is particularly availablefor usein building construction-where the thickness of the floor is such as to permit such ends to rest upon cross beams or girders indicated at X.

In Fig. 12 I have shown a metal section which may be eln'ploye'd' for the upper and lower chords,c omp risinga web 11, with an upper surface 12, which will lie approximately-in a horizontal plane when the reenforcing or, building element is in the position of use; such web having side flanges 13, which channels 15 between said ribs to receive the ends of the diagonal members, or the vertically disposed end members; the outer surface of the ribs being preferably curved as indicated at 14 These ribs maybe compressed into engagement with the lateral projections at the ends of the members 7, 7 or 7, placed between the upper and lower chords, in the same manner as the structure illustrated in Fig. 4.

In lieu of providing the member to form the upper and lower chords with its web initially flat, it may be shaped as illustrated-at 11 in Fig. 13, that is to say, with the central portion depressed and the flanged edge por tions 13 raised, and with a groove or channel 15 on the underside; such arrangement enabling the lateral portions 14 of the web to be'brought into locking engagement with the lateral projections at the ends of the members 7, indicated by broken lines, upon flattening the chord member; that isto say, bringing the web 11 of the same into a horizontal position.

In Figs. 14, 15 and 16 I have shown other forms of metal sections available for use as the upper and lower chords of the beam structure. These may be made of variously shaped, so-called, deformed bars, grooved or channeled as indicated at 15 15 and 15 respectively, to provide the laterally'disposed portions or walls 14*, 14 and 14, flanking said grooves or channels and the equivalent of the ribs .4 or 14, shown in Figs. 5 and 12; By squeezing these lateral portions together,

they will be caused'to engage and permanently hold the ends of the web members fitted within the grooves or channels and disposed between the upper and lower chords.

The diagonal members illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, et seq., are cut from a solid plate having dovetail edges, the thickness of such edges being equal to the width of the'root of the grooves or channels formed in the upper and lower chord members and tapering toward the web of the plate, so that when the ribs or equivalent portions of the upper and lower chord members are squeezed together, the lateral projections at the end portions of the members 7, 7 or 7 will be securely and per-' manently held to said chords. In lieu'ofa plate having an edge of this type, such edge may be rounded as indicated at 8 in Fig. 17,

and arranged to fit in a correspondingly shaped groove or channel 15 formed in chord members of the type illustrated in Fig. 16;

such. shaped edge being-readily and perma-'- nently confined in place by compressingthe ribs or otheraport-ions ofrthechord members flanking. the groove or channel receiving said roundededges. V

Insteadof cutting the members to fit betweenthe upper and lowerchords from a solid plate having dovetail shaped edges, they may be cut from a thinner plate O,

which may have its edges turned over to form the dovetail portions, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 18, I

In lieu. of using independent diagonal members indicated at 7, in Figs. 1 and 6, which members maybe cut from a plate with suitable'sh'aped" edges as indicated in Fig. 7, or otherwise prepared, Lmay take a plate C of a character similar to that illustrated in Fig..7, or with rounded edges, or with edges of any suitable "shape that will permit portions of the chord'members to be compressed into gripping engagement with'the same and.

slit such plate at 12 at'right angles to the edges as indicated in. Fig. 8; such slits extending'from one. edge to the portion to be embraced by the ribs 'atthe opposite edge alternately, and then the plate so prepared may bestretched' to form a continuous member, i1- lustrated in Fig.- 10, having the desired diagonal; web portions? which may be applied to the upper and lower chords in the same manner as the individual diagonal members are applied, and held in place in the same manner.

Instead of employing end plates 7* with vertical edges at each end, as shown in Fig. 1,

the diagonal members at the ends may be omitted and plateswith. diagonal edges, from which the other diagonal members have been cut, may be employed. In this way there will be no waste in the cutting of the plate C to form said diagonal members.-

While the continuous element having the diagonal members only, as shown in Fig. 10, may be cut from a plate of the type indicated at C Fig. 8, it will be understood that end portions performing the function of the plates 7, or the vertical members 7 an may be formed integral therewith.

. For. the purpose of compressing the ribs or other engaging portions of the chord members into permanent securing position with respect to the lateral projections at the ends of the web members disposed in said grooves or channels and arranged between said upper andlower chords, I may use a structure such as indicated in Fig. 19, comprising the pairs of upper and lower rolls D and E, and supporting and driving means therefor. These rolls may be carried .by shafts (Z and c, and collars cl and e of varying dimensions lengthwise of the shafts may be provided so that the rolls may be spaced. at the proper widths to properly engage the compressible portions of-the upper and lower chords depending upon'the dimensions of the particular structure undergoing preparation. .To

support the chord members while the com pressing action is taking place, I may pro vide the roll housings F with brackets f and 7"; the latter being adjustable lengthwise of the rolls for changes in the dimensions of the structure being assembled, and each of said brackets carrying a positioning roll F. Additionally, these brackets may be provided with ledges f upon which the upper and lower chord members may rest in proper relative position while the compressing action is taking place. Modification of this structure is entirely within the scope of my invention to accommodate chord members of different shape, since the essential point is to provide means that will insure compression of the ribs orequivalent portions of the chord mem bers to permanently anchor thereto the laterally projecting portions at the ends of the members 7 7 or 7, disposed between the same and forming with said chord members the structural reenforcing or building element forming the subject of my invention.

In compressing the ribs or equivalent lateral portions of the members forming the upper and lower chords, there will be a slight tendency of the same to spread at the points of engagement with the members, diagonal or otherwise, interposed between said upper and lower chords and secured to the same.

I claim:

1. A metallic building structure element comprising a channel compression member, a channel tension member, and a web composed of a plurality of similar-bars each having lateral projections formed on their ends and secured in said channels laterally of the channel; said bars being arranged diagonally and in zigzag fashion and so that one end of each bar abuts an end of an adjacent bar.

2. A metallic building structure element comprising a channel compression member, a channel tension member, and a Web composed of a plurality of similar bars each having lateral projections formed on their ends; said lateral projections being secured in said channels laterally of thechannel and said bars being arranged diagonally and in zigzag fashion and so that'one end of each bar abuts an end of an adjacent bar.

8. A metallic building structure element comprising a channel compression member, a channel tension member, and a web composed of a plurality of similar bars each having lateral projections formed on their ends and secured in said channels laterally of the channel by turning in the edges of the channels over the said projecuions, said bars being arranged diagonally and in zigzag fashion and so that one end of each bar abuts an end of an adjacent bar.

. l. A metallic building structure element comprising a channel compression member, a channel tension member,and a web composed of a plurality of similar bars each having lateral projections formed on their ends; said lateral projections being secured in said channels laterallyof the channel by turning in the edges of the channels over the said projections and said bars being arranged diagonally and in zigzag fashion and so that one end of each bar abuts an end of an adjacent bar.

5. A metallic. building structure element comprising a channelcompression member, a channel tension member, and a web composed of a plurality of similar bars each having enlarged ends secured in said channels laterally thereof by turning in the edges of the channels over said enlarged ends; said bars being arranged diagonally and in zigzag fashion and so that one end of each bar abuts an end of an adjacent bar.

6. A metallic building structure element comprising a channel compression member, a channel tension member, and a web composed of a plurality of similar bars each having enlarged ends; said enlarged ends being secured in said channels laterally of the channel by turning in the edges of the channels over said enlarged ends and said bars being arranged diagonally and in zigzag fashion and so that one end of each bar abuts an end of an adjacent bar.

7. A truss web member, comprising a plate sheared at its side edges and of parallelogram configuration between its ends; said ends being uniformly enlarged throughout their eX- tent where they unite with the chord members of a truss, and having terminals disposed diagonally with respect to the side edges of said plate and in parallel relation with respect to each other.

' 8. A truss member, comprising a plate sheared at its side edges and of parallelogram configuration between its ends; said ends being dovetail in cross section, being disposed diagonally with respect to the side edges of said plate, being uniformly enlarged throughout the extent of said dovetail portions wihch unite with the chord members of a truss and having terminals at right angles to their major axis and tothe longitudinal axis of said chord members.

9. A built-up reenforcing beam having upper and lower chords comprising rolled metal sections having side flanges-with longitudinal ribs in pairs disposed midway between said flanges; the ribs of the respective chords be ing disposed toward each other and arranged in separated relation to form substantially rectangular spaces between the same, and spacing members comprising plates disposed diagonally between said chords and having dovetail ends of uniform dimensions disposed between said ribs and secured to the chords; said dovetail ends having their terminals at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the truss and abutting the terminals of the dovetail ends of adjacent spacing member's.

10. As a new article of manufacture, a truss member for use as a reenforcing building element, having upper and lower chords with grooves extending longitudinally of the same and disposed toward each other, and connecting members consisting of plates extending diagonally between said chord members; said connecting members being of parallelogra-m configuration between their ends with sheared side edges and having uniformly enlarged end portions fitting the grooves of said chord members and anchored therein; said enlarged ends terminating at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the truss member and diagonally with respect to the parallel sides of said connecting members and abutfiing the ends of adjacent connecting memers.

11. As a new article of manufacture, a truss member for use as a reenforcing building element, having upper and lower chords with grooves extending longitudinally of the same and disposed toward each other, and connecting members consisting of plates extending diagonally between said chord members; said connecting members being of parallelogram configuration between their ends with sheared side edges and having dovetail end portions of uniform dimensions fitting the grooves of said chord members and anchored therein; said dovetail ends terminating diagonally with respect to the parallel sides of said web members and abutting the terminals at the dovetail ends of adjacent web memers. Q

12. As a new article of manufacture, a truss member for use as a reenforcing building element; having upper and lower chords with grooves extending longitudinally of the same and disposed toward each other, and spacing members extending diagonally between said chord members; said spacing members being of parallelogram configuration between their ends with sheared side edges and having uniformly enlarged end portions fitting the grooves of said chord members and anchored therein: said enlarged end portions terminating at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the truss member and abutting the terminals of adjacent web spacing members.

13. As a new article of manufacture. a dlagonal spacing and connecting element for v 14. As a new article of manufacture, a di- 7 agonal spacing and connecting element for truss members, comprlsing a plate of parallelogram configuration having enlarged ends dovetail in cross section disposed in parallel relation; the terminals of said enlarged dovespecification.

GEORGE E. DALE. 

